Graham, I don't think F2 understands what SM was saying.
In any case there is no point in trying to stop using coal fired
generation. Wind and solar simple cannot do the job.
It is not just the intermittancy that is the problem.

There are only a very few possibilities;
Hot Rocks from Sth Australia and the Hunter Valley.
Nuclear, Thorium and Uranium.
Tidal.

There is nothing else on the horizon, but we can keep hoping.
Forget natural gas, it is proving to be short term if it started to
be used to replace coal.

FP,

While your little propaganda sheet from the government has a column for "industrial" it is far from representative of all industries. The industrial site I work at buys power at $60/MWhr not the $120 cited giving a 40% increase due to the carbon tax. We are a relatively large consumer, but still consume power at only a tiny fraction of the smelter. Your sheet is for small industries, and that you would proffer it for the aluminium smelter shows how little you know.

I am a power systems engineer, what are you? a book keeper, graphics artist? Certainly nothing that needs much any information in this field.

leave GY do the moderating.
I saw as he did no problem other than two combatants being a bit rude to each other.
the tax progressing to a trading scheme has just one target.
To push the implementation of better fuels.
The attempt to link this closure to it is fraud, known to be too,SM is aware it is not the truth.

[Deleted for abuse. You were warned.]

[Deleted for abuse.]

Dear Shadow Minister,

[Deleted for provocation and contributing to the likelihood that the brawl I've just moderated would continue and intensify.]

Your quote of a "swinging ball" is taken directly
from Mr Abbott - dear oh dear.

Neither of you seem capable of understanding that
it is the continued weak macro economic conditions,
with a plunge in global aluminium prices, an
uncertain market outlook as well as the strong
Australian dollar plus the NSW government's refusal
to reach an agreement on a long term electricity
supply contract that has forced Norsk Hydro to make
the decision that it has.

If Mr Abbott is really
that concerned about the workers of Norsk Hydro
as he claims to be then -
why doesn't he get on the phone to Premier (Barry)
O'Farrell about the matter of the long term
electricity supply contract. Now that would be
doing something positive - but there's more to gain
politically by consistently casting blame on the government.